Add another sports holiday to the ever-growing list.
Like Signing Day, the first day of March Madness and MLB's Opening Day, the day when the SEC announces its crossover football games and conference schedules for the next season, is becoming bigger than the Internet itself.
Judging by what I’ve read today, a good portion of the South was all a-Twitter about finding out who their team will play in 2014.
Big picture
- We already knew Florida's permanent crossover was LSU – much to Les Miles' dismay – but the Gators also have the privilege of playing at Alabama on Sept. 20.
- Miles had to be happy to learn that Kentucky has joined Florida on LSU's schedule.
- There are six SEC games on both Oct. 4 and Nov. 15.
- The SEC Network will have an impressive debut. Texas A&M opens the season at South Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014.
- While Florida plays both LSU and Alabama next year, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt play neither of them.
- LSU also confirmed it will open next season against Wisconsin in Houston.
Key Games
Florida at Alabama, Sept. 20
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (Dallas), Sept. 27
LSU at Florida, Oct. 11
Texas A&M at Alabama, Oct. 18
Florida vs. Georgia (Jacksonville), Nov. 1
Alabama at LSU, Nov. 8
South Carolina at Florida, Nov. 15
LSU at Texas A&M, Nov. 27
Auburn at Alabama, Nov. 29
Championship game, Dec. 6
Next year’s schedule is based on the SEC’s 6-1-1 format, in which a team plays one permanent and one rotating team from the other division.
Unlike Miles, I like this format.
It retains the traditional rivalries (Tennessee-Alabama, Georgia-Auburn) and adds a dash of chance and unpredictability.
And who can say right now how strong Florida will be next year, or if injuries will wreck LSU’s season, or if Johnny Manziel will be playing at Texas A&M next season (or even this one)?
The East might surpass the West in 2014.
Who knows?
It’s fun to speculate and look ahead, but I’m not gazing too far into the future.
I’m ready for next Thursday to be here.
2014 Crossover Opponents
East
Florida at Alabama (Sept. 20), LSU (Oct. 11)
Georgia at Arkansas (Oct. 18), Auburn (Nov. 15)
Kentucky at LSU (Oct. 18), Mississippi State (Oct. 25)
Missouri at Texas A&M (Nov. 15), Arkansas (Nov. 29)
South Carolina Texas A&M (Aug. 28), at Auburn (Oct. 25)
Tennessee at Ole Miss (Oct. 18) Alabama (Oct. 25)
Vanderbilt Ole Miss (Sept. 6), at Mississippi State (Nov. 22)
West
Alabama Florida (Sept. 20), at Tennessee (Oct. 25)
Arkansas Georgia (Oct. 18), at Missouri (Nov. 29)
Auburn South Carolina (Oct. 25), at Georgia (Nov. 15)
LSU at Florida (Oct. 11), Kentucky (Oct. 18)
Mississippi State at Kentucky (Oct. 25), Vanderbilt (Nov. 22)
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt (Sept. 6), Tennessee (Oct. 18)
Texas A&M at South Carolina (Aug. 28), Missouri (Nov. 15)
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